Mr Alman and his son Stewart will be joining other veterans at the garden party at the palace tomorrow (Thursday).

He says: “My son was dead set on going with me and we’re both looking forward to celebrating Blind Veterans UK’s 100th birthday.”

Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstan’s) was founded in 1915 and the charity’s initial purpose was to help and support soldiers blinded in the First World War.

The organisation has since gone on to support more than 35,000 blind veterans and their families, spanning the Second World War to recent conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan.

For 100 years, the charity has been providing vital free training, rehabilitation, equipment and emotional support to blind and visually impaired veterans no matter when they served or how they lost their sight.

Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, Major General Nick Caplin CB said: “All of us at Blind Veterans UK feel both honoured and very proud to celebrate our centenary at such a special event.

“It will be a fantastic day for our veterans, whatever the weather!

“This anniversary also provides the opportunity for us to look forward to the challenges that lie ahead for Blind Veterans UK.

“It is a critical time for our charity as the number of blind veterans we support is increasing; in the past year, more blind veterans have registered for our help than ever before in the charity’s history and this trend is set to continue.”

Visit www.blindveterans.org.uk to learn more about the charity’s history and how to support it.